Attorney General Eric Holder said Friday that dismantling the Ferguson Police Department is still an option if the city does not take steps to reform.
Traveling with President Barack Obama in South Carolina, Mr. Holder told assembled reporters that the Justice Department was willing to do whatever it takes to reform the embattled police agency.
Mr. Holder said that the government would “use all the power that we have” including dissolving the police agency “if that’s what’s necessary.”
Mr. Holder’s comments come the same day that a spokesman for the city revealed the three people involved in sending racist e-mails that included comparing President Obama to a chimpanzee and racist remarks about black citizens.
The individuals were identified as officers Rick Henke and William Mudd, who resigned Friday. Earlier in the day, it was revealed that former court clerk Mary Ann Twitty was the individual fired by Ferguson Mayor James Knowles on Thursday.
The Justice Department has threatened lawsuits and other action if Ferguson law enforcement do not change their practices. And President Obama said that the city “will now have to make a decision” to either end discrimination by its members or face federal retaliation.
SEE ALSO: Obama warns Ferguson: Clean up your act or face federal lawsuit
Ferguson Mayor James Knowles seemed undeterred by the threats of a lawsuit Friday, saying the city wants to work with the federal government but would not capitulate in a lawsuit.
“There are a lot of things in that report that are very troubling and need to be addressed, but there are also things that are an overreach,” he said.
• Phillip Swarts can be reached at pswarts@washingtontimes.com.
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